That said, exercise still plays a crucial role in your overall health and weight management—just in slightly different ways.
Exercise helps you:
- Build and maintain muscle (which increases metabolism)
- Improve cardiovascular health
- Boost mental wellbeing
- Sleep better
- Prevent weight regain after losing it through diet
While exercise may not be the fastest way to lose weight on its own, it supports the body in countless ways—and when combined with a healthy diet, it becomes far more effective.
So… Which Is More Important?
When it comes to losing weight, diet has the bigger impact. But when it comes to keeping the weight off and staying healthy, diet and exercise together are the winning combination.
Think of it like this:
- Diet is the driver—it gets the results.
- Exercise is the accelerator—it helps you get there faster and stay there longer.
How to Get the Balance Right
Here’s how to approach both diet and exercise without feeling overwhelmed:
Start with your diet:
- Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods (fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats).
- Reduce processed foods and added sugars.
- Keep an eye on portion sizes and overall calories.
Then build in exercise:
- Start with 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (e.g., walking, cycling, swimming).
- Add resistance training 2–3 times per week to build strength and support metabolism.
- Find movement you enjoy—it’s more important to be consistent than intense.
If you’re trying to lose weight, what you eat matters more than how much you move. But to feel your best, protect your long-term health, and keep the weight off, diet and exercise go hand in hand.
Start with your plate, then get your body moving—and you’ll be well on your way to long-lasting results.
